MSNBC's Schultz Defends Rush Against Liberal Boycott Attacks

MSNBC liberal talk show host Ed Schultz defended Rush Limbaugh against efforts by liberal groups to pressure his advertisers into pulling support for his radio show, saying the campaign is “going too far.”

For Schultz, who also hosts a radio show, it represents a split with liberal colleagues and put him in the rare position of defending his idealogical opposite Limbaugh, according the website Mediaite. Schultz converted from being a Republican to a liberal and has described himself as a "gun-totin', red meat-eatin' lefty" out to slay the "right-wing radio dragon."

The comments came at the Talkers New Media Seminar on June 7 in New York City and referred to a campaign to oust Limbaugh from radio by pressuring his advertisers via boycott to stop supporting the show.

Efforts to oust Limbaugh date back to 2007 but were ramped up after he insulted a graduate student advocate on the air.

“If we start attacking advertisers because of what somebody said — it’s the wrong thing to do,” Schultz told the audience, according to the website.

Schultz said he contacted David Brock, who heads the liberal Media Matters for America and told Brock he had concerns about the tactics being deployed against Limbaugh

“I need you to know what’s happening,” Schultz said he told Brock. “This is what’s happening. There’s a lot of people getting hurt. This is going to too far. It’s my opinion; you can take it for what it’s worth.”